Official: Barcelona sign Semedo

Abstract: Los Azulgranas confirmed the signing of the Benfica right-back, pending a medical, in a five-year deal worth 30 million euros, plus five more in add-ons.

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Barcelona confirmed the signing of Benfica right-back Nelson Semedo, pending a medical, in a five-year deal worth 30 million euros, plus five more in add-ons. Benfica had set their asking price at 50 million euros but both clubs agreed on a lower fee.

Barcelona's technical secretary, Robert Fernández, flew to Lisbon on Thursday morning for the express purpose of sealing a deal to bring the 23-year-old defender to Catalonia. Semedo had been on Barcelona's radar for a large part of last season as Los Culés were seeking to bolster the right side of defence.

Barcelona's transfer market

With a deal to bring Héctor Bellerín back to the Camp Nou coming up against some major stumbling blocks, not to mention the ongoing complications involved in Los Culés' interest in Marco Verratti, the club's board changed tack and went all out to bring new coach Ernesto Valverde some reinforcements as soon as possible.